Someone in your family, perhaps your mother, father, or even yourself, has been prescribed an eye drop by a doctor for "high eye pressure." One of the most commonly used medications to control eye pressure is 'Pilocarpine.' So, if you have been prescribed this medication, it is very important to be fully informed about it. Today, we will talk very simply about this medication, how to use it correctly, possible side effects, and things you should definitely know.
What exactly is Pilocarpine?
Simply put, Pilocarpine is a type of eye drop that helps reduce the pressure inside your eye, or 'pressure' in our language. This medication is mainly used to treat conditions called glaucoma and ocular hypertension .
Think of the eye as a small ball filled with fluid. When this fluid builds up, the pressure inside the eye increases. This can damage our vision. Pilocarpine works by reducing the amount of fluid produced inside the eye and maintaining the pressure in the eye at a safe level. This means that it can help prevent eye damage.
Things to tell your doctor before using this medicine
Before prescribing Pilocarpine, your doctor will ask you about your health. However, you should definitely tell him about the following:
- Other eye conditions: If you have other eye conditions besides glaucoma, for example , iritis or retinal detachment .
- Contact Lenses: If you wear contact lenses, tell us about it.
- Allergies: Be sure to tell your doctor if you have any allergies to pilocarpine or any other medications, foods, or dyes.
- Pregnancy and breastfeeding: If you are pregnant, trying to become pregnant, or breastfeeding, you should talk to your doctor before using this medicine.
How do you use these eye drops correctly?
To get the full benefit of the medicine, it is very important to apply it correctly. Let's see how to do that.
1. Wash your hands: Before and after applying the medicine, wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water .
2. Prepare: Tilt your head back slightly and look up. Gently pull your lower eyelid down with your index finger. This will create a small pouch-like space between your eyelid and your eye.
3. Apply the drops: Do not touch the dropper tip to your eyes, fingertips, or any other surface. Doing so may introduce germs into the bottle. Put the exact number of drops your doctor prescribed into the bag.
4. Close your eyes: Close your eyes slowly. Do not close them tightly.
5. The most important step: Now, with your index finger, gently press the inner corner of your eye between your nose and your eye for a minute or two. This will stop the medicine from flowing down the tear duct into your throat. This will allow the medicine to be completely absorbed into your eye, giving you maximum results.
If you are also using another type of eye drop, you should wait at least 5 minutes after applying one medication before applying the other medication.
Things to be careful about when using
Keep these things in mind while using this medicine for your safety and the effectiveness of the medicine.
- Vision changes: Some people may experience blurred vision or difficulty with night vision after taking this medication. Therefore, avoid activities that require clear vision, such as driving or operating machinery, until you know how this medication affects you.
- Contact Lenses: If you wear contact lenses, remove them before applying the medication. You can reinsert them 10 minutes after applying the medication.
- Medical Checkups: Keep in touch with your doctor. Go to the clinics on scheduled days and have your eye pressure checked. If your symptoms persist or worsen, tell your doctor immediately.
| Possible side effects of pilocarpine | |
|---|---|
| Side effects that should be reported to your doctor immediately | |
| Allergic reactions | Skin rash, itching, swelling of the face, lips, tongue or throat. |
| Worsening of eye condition | New or worsening eye pain, redness, inflammation, or discharge. |
| Sudden loss of vision | A feeling of suddenly losing vision in one or both eyes. |
| Side effects that should be reported to the doctor if they persist or are bothersome | |
| Blurred vision | Temporary blurred vision after applying the medication. |
| Feeling tired in the eyes | Feeling tired when looking at distant objects. |
| Burning or itching in the eyes | Minor burning or itching of the eyes. |
| Headache | Headaches, especially in the eyebrow area. |
| Excessive tears | Increased tearing of the eyes after applying the medicine. |
What if I forget to take my medication?
If you forget to take a dose, take it as soon as you remember. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take the next dose at the scheduled time. Never take a double dose.
What if the medication dose increases?
If you suddenly think you have taken more than the prescribed amount of medicine, do not panic. However, if this happens, immediately call the National Poisons Information Centre at the Colombo National Hospital . Or go to the Emergency Treatment Unit (ETU) of the nearest hospital.
How should you store the medicine bottle?
Keep the medicine bottle out of the reach of children and pets . It is best to store it at room temperature (between 20-25 degrees Celsius). Do not use expired medicine. Ask your doctor about the correct way to dispose of unused or expired medicine.
Take-Home Message
- Pilocarpine is an important type of eye drop used to control high pressure in the eye due to conditions such as glaucoma.
- Before using the medicine, tell your doctor about all your medical conditions and allergies.
- When applying the medicine to the eye, follow the steps of pressing the eye firmly, especially on the inner corner of the eye, for about a minute.
- Use caution when performing tasks that require alertness, such as driving, as this medication may cause blurred vision.
- If a sudden side effect occurs (e.g. severe allergy, loss of vision), seek medical advice immediately.
- This medicine is for you only. Never share it with others.
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